Otterbein United Methodist Church (Anderson, Madison County, Ind.) records

Formerly known as Anderson First Street, the church was organized in 1890 by Dr. A. C. Wilmore on the corner of Dleventh and Sherman Streets. A frame church building was erected at a cost of $3,000. In 1903 the building was sold to an African American congregation and a brick church was built at the corner of Ninth Street and Madison Avenue at a cost of $25,000. in 1923 this building was extensively remodeled at a cost of $7,000. A parsonage was purchased at a cost of $4,000, which was immediately remodeled at an additional cost of $2,000. In 1941 the church building was again remodeled at a cost of $30,000, many classrooms being added. In 1946 the old parsonage was sold and a brick residence purchased to be used as a parsonage. The house east of the church was purchased for $16,000 to be used for educational purposes. The a large educational building was constructed at a cost of about $200,000, including equipment, the ground breaking ceremony occurring on September 10, 1950, and the dedication November 25, 1951. A new parking lot was provided in 1955 at a cost of $15,000. Additional improvements in 1967 included sand blasting the exterior of the building, painting the outside trim and interior redecoration, and additional classrooms. In 1936 the parsonage had been sold and another purchased at 1123 W. 8th Street. The membership in 1968 was reported at 973.